Electric sparking device.



P'ATENTED MAY 1 A. E. DOMAN.

ELECTRIC SPARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1905.

2 SHEET8SHEET 1.

JNVENTUIP."

I BI/T' 1 WITNESSES! PATENTED MAY 1 A. E. DOMAN. ELECTRIC SPARKING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 1, 1905.

2 sHEETssHEET z.

WIT/M3555:

E4 TTURNE 1 T0 at whom it may concern:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC, SPARKING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented m y 1, 1906.

. Application filed February 1, 1906. Serial No. 243,738-

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. DOMAN, o Elbridge, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful 1m rovements in Electric Sparking Devices, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in electrical sparking devices for gas-engines and analogous uses, and refers more particularly to the sparking coil and its accessories for producing an intense electric spark with a substantially low electro force or battery energy.

This sparking device is es ecially adapted for use on automobiles in which a vapor-engine is used as the propelling power; but it will be clearly evident that it is e ually adapted for other analogous uses, suc as igniting the explosive mixtures of stationary or marine gas-engines.

The primary object is to provide an induction-coil in which the reluctance of the magnetic circuit is reduced to a minimum by bringing the poles or ends of the core of said coil into close relation with each other and to provide each end of the core with a separate primary winding each having a secondary Winding.

Another object is to provide a simple make-and-break contact device with a sectional armature in which one of the sections is loose and more or lessinert, so that when the armature is suddenly attracted by the energizing of the primary coil the inertia of the movable or loose section of the armature allows a vibratory finger or'spring to separate from its contact-terminal with a quick break, but slow recovery. This action is due to the sudden attraction of the section of the armature which is fixed to the vibrating spring and is drawn away from the loose superimposed section by reason of its inertia and the fact that the loose'member immediately follows the section which is fixed to the vibrat mg spring to retard its recovery, thereby not on y effecting a quick break and consequent increased s ark, but also operating to save current an prolong the life of the battery.

A further object 1s to assemble the various parts of the electric spark device in a compact manner in a suitable case, so that the make-and-break contact device may be easily and quickly adjusted and repaired at any time, all of the parts bein assembled upon or within a-sultable insu ating-block which is adapted to be inserted in or removed from the case. I

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved sparkin device, showing particularly the constructlon of the outer inclosing case and its cap and projecting terminals or binding-posts. Fi 2 is a perspective view of the insulating-b ock containing the spark-coil, condenser, and make-andbreak contact device. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view through the outer case and insulating-block, showing the manner of assembling the spark-coil, condenser, and vibrator or make-and-break contact de-, vice u on the' insulating-block and within the inc osi'ng case. Fig. 4- is a diagrammatlc view of the various parts of my invention, showing the electrical connection of such parts with each other and with a source of electric energy and sparking terminals. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the core of the spark-coil seen in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a similar elevation of a modified form of core which may be used in lace of that seen in Figs. 3 and 5.

he invention comprlses, essentially, a

spark-coil 1, a condenser 2, and a vibrator or make-and-break contact device 3, all of which parts are mounted within and upon a suitable block 4 of insulating materialsuch as Wood, hard rubber, or other e uivalent substancesand this insulating-b ock is fitted Within the outer casing or shell 5, ofwood or similar material, which is neatly finished and provided with a removable cap 6, said cap bein held in place in this instance by hooks 7, w iich are detachably interlocked with shoulders 8 at opposite ends of the box or case. 1 I

The sparkcoil, which forms one of the essential features of my invention, comprises a U-shape core 9, consisting of a bunch of Wires or strips of magnetic metal, such as soft iron, having their ends bent in parallel lines and their extremities 10 turned toward and in close proximity to each other, as best seen in Figs. 3 and 4, each parallel side or arm of the core being provided'with a primarywinding 1 1 and a secondary winding 12, the primary and secondary windings of each coil being electrically connected to its like winding of the other coil to establish a continuity of circuit through both coils.

One of the primary coils is connected by a wire 13 to a binding-post 14 and thence by a wire 15 to a source of electric energy, as a battery B. The other primary coil is connected by a wire 16 to a metal frame 17, carrying an adjusting-screw 18, which is normally in electrical contact with a metal spring 19. This spring 19 is connected by a wire 20 to a binding-post 21 and thence to the other poleof the battery B by a wire 22, as best seen in Fig. 4, thereby establishing a battery or primary circuit through the primary windings of the spark-coil. The free end of the spring-arm 19 is provided with an armature 23, having a loose section 24 of suitable material, preferably metal, which normally adds weight to the armature, and being loosely mounted upon the armature is more or less inert or sluggish in its action as compared with the instantaneity of action of the armature when the spark-coil is energized. The armature 23 is secured by a stud or rivet .25 to the free end of the spring-arm 19, and its lower face is preferably conical, as shown in Fi s. 3 and 4, to present as much area as possi%le to the flattened ends or extremities 10 of the core 9, thereby increasing the magnetic pull upon the armature.

The loose section 24 is preferably made in the form of awasher, which encircles the stud 25 and rests loosely upon the upper horizontal face of the armature 23. It is now clear that when the induction-coil is energized by thebattery-current' the armature 24 and free end of the spring 19, attached thereto, are suddenly attracted or drawn toward the ends 10 of the core 9 and that on account of.

the inertia of the loose weighted section 24 the armature, 23 for the instant is separated or drawn away from the loose section 24, thereby relieving the inertia of the armature to this extent and permittin a quick break between the contact-termina s, as the spring 19 and adjusting-screw 18 of the make-andbreak contact device. This is an important feature of my invention, for the reason that I am enabled toprodu'ce an extremely quick break in the circuit, which resultsin an increased sparking effect at the sparking terfrninals of the induced current, presently described, and at the same time whilethe breaking action is ra id the recovery of the armature sufficient to a low the closing of the primary circuit by the make-and-break contact device is somewhat slow, owing to the fact that soon after the armature is drawn down the loose member or section 24 follows to retard the reaction, and thereby saves .to a limited extent the loss of current and increases the life of the battery.

'One secondary coil is connected by a wire 27 to a binding-post 28 and thence to a sparking terminal 29 by means of a wire 30,

while the other secondary coil is connected by a Wire 31 to the terminal 21 by means of the wire 20 and thence to a second sparking terminal 33 by means of a wire 32, thereby connecting the sparking terminals 29 and 33 in the induction-circuit.

The condenser 2 may be of any desired construction, but preferably consists of the usual layers of tin-foil with interposed layers ofpaper or other insulating material, one terminal of the condenser being connected by a wire 34 to the wire 20 and is therefore connected to the spring-terminal 19, while its other terminal is connected by a wire 35 to the wire 16, and consequently is connected to the terminal 18, thus placing the condenser in circuit with the make-and-break contact device. The construction, manner of connecting, and purpose of the condenser 2 are well known, and it is therefore believed to be unnecessary to further illustrate or describe the same.

By constructing the core 9 U shape in the manner previously described and bringing its ends into close proximity to each other it is apparent that the reluctance of this magnetic circuit is reduced to a minimum, and that this materially increases the electromagnetic effect of the core when the primary coils are energized,'and.that this increased magnetic effect is concentrated to attract the armature 24 with great positiveness and force, even by the use of a small battery energy, and that this positive and forceful attraction of the armatures causes an instantaneous break at the terminals 18 and 19, which pro duces a high degree of electromotive force in the secondary circuit.

It will be observed upon reference to Figs. i

3 and 4 that the make-and-break contact device is mounted upon the up er end of the insulating-block 4, in which is embedded a suitable nut 35 to receive a clamping-screw 36, whereby the parts of the vibrator or makeandebreak contact device are secured to the insulating-block.

The central portion of thetop of the insulator-block 4 is formed with an aperture 38, through which the armature 23 and its loose section 24 play.

The induction-coil proper consists of the core 9 and its rima andsecondary windings and is embedde into and entirely surrounded by the insulating-block 4 below the make-and-break contact device, while the condenser 2 is also inclosed within the insulating-block just below the induction-coil.

The top of the insulating -block 4 just above the induction-coil is removable by removing the make-and-break contact device and is secured to the underlying portions of the insulating-block by screws 40, the object of this removable to being to ermit the induction-coil to be efevated bo ily out of its casing when desired to repair or inspect any part thereof. In like manner the lower part of the insulating-block 4 may be removed to 2 5 core-section being adapted to receive a priand 28. This insulating-block 4, with the-induction-coil, condenser, and make-and-break contact devlce mounted thereon, is mserted and fit closely within the case 5, and the top of the insulating-block projects beyond the sides ofthe main body to engage the top edge of the outer case 5, and thereby support sald insulating block from further downward movement, while the cap 6 covers the top of the block and vibrator and engages the top of said block to prevent its upward movement, so that when the hooks 7 are engaged with their shoulders 8 the top 6 is locked to the case 5 and also operates to lock the insulating-block from vertical movement within the case.

In Fig. 6 I have shown the core of the spark-coil as consisting of two sections 9., each of which is formed with a bunch of softiron wire or strips having their extremities bent laterally toward each other for'reducing the reluctance of the magnetic circuit, each mary and secondary winding in the manner previously described for the core 9.

Having thusdescribed my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1 An electric sparking device, comprising a spark-coil having parallel cores turned toward each other at one end beyond the main body of the cores to diminish the reluctance of the magnetic circuit, a vibrator electrically connected in series with the primary windings of the spark-coil and having its armature playing between said inturned ends of-the cores, and sparking terminals in circuit with the secondary windings of said coil 2. An electric sparking circuit comprising two electromagnets having their pole-pieces projecting laterally toward each other some distance beyond their cores to diminish reluctance in the magnetic circuit, said elec- -tromagnets having primary and secondary windings, a source of electric energy for. the

. primary windings, sparking terminals in cir- 5v cuit with the secondary windings, a vibrator electrically connected in the primary circuit in series with said primary windings and having its armature playing between said pole-pieces.

3. An electric sparking device comprisinga body of insulating material, a spark-coil embedded in and inclosed by said body and having pole-pieces bent laterally toward each other beyond their cores to reduce reluctance to the magnetic circuit, said insulating-body having an opening through which portions of the pole-pieces are exposed, avibrator connected in series with the windings of the spark-coil and having its armature playing in said opening, and sparking terminals electrically connected in the secondary circuit.

4. In an'electric sparking device, a body of insulatin material, a spark-coil embedded in said ody and having pole-pieces extending toward each other beyond their cores, a vibrator electrically connected in series with the primary windlngs of said sparkcoil and having its armature playing between said pole-pieces, sparking terminals in the secondary circuit and a condenser :electrically connected in. the primary circuit, and also embedded in the body of insulating material.

5. An electric sparking device compr1s1n a body of insulating material, a sparking CO1 embedded in and lnclosed by said b0 y, a vibrator mounted upon the exterior of said body and electrically connectedin the pmmary circuit of the spark-coil, saidvibrator having its armature laying between the pole-pieces of the spar -coil, and a sectional rial and vibrator.

6. Inan electric sparkin device, an induction-coil and a make-andreak contact device in the primary circuit, said device including a vibrating arm carrying an armature and a loose weighted member on the armature, the inertia of which causes the armature to leave it when attracted'by the core of the spark-coil to permit a quick break, said loose member immediately following the attracted armature to retard its recovery.

7. In combination with a spark-coil having the ends of its core brought into close relation with each other, a make-andbreak contact device. electrically connected in series with the primary winding of the spark-coil, and including a vibrating member carried. by the armaturefor the purpose described and means to retard the action of the vibrating member in closing the circuit. after each break. 7

8. In an electric sparkingdevice, a spark coil having the ends of its core brought close together, a make-and-bre'ak contact device" embedded within said block, a condenser also inclosed within the block. below the spark-coil, and a vibrator mounted upon the top of the block above the spark-coil, said spark-coil having its ends brought upwardly into close relation to each other and the insulator-block having an opening in its top registering with the projecting ends of the core, an armature secured to the vibrating member of the .Vibrator and a weighted member resting loosely upon the to face ofthearmature for the purpose descri ed.

10. In combination with an inclosing case 0 en at the bottom and top, an insulatingb ock fitted in the case, a cap covering the upper end of the case and insulating-block and detachably secured to said case, a sparkcoil embedded in the insulating block and having the ends of its core brought close to- A. E. BROWN, D. C. MERRIMAN. 

